I read this great quote the other day about influence, “the key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority”, by Kenneth Blanchard. It is a thought provoking quote. I’m assuming the author is speaking of business relationships, but what about your personal circle of influence?

My wheels are turning at this thought… Webster’s defines the verb form of influence as: the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways. What I like about this definition is the use of the word intangible. It’s not something we can touch, but it effects us just the same. So many things influence us in our daily lives. Imagine writing down every possible way we are influenced throughout our day. I think you would need a lot of paper!

There are both good and bad influences. Most importantly, people are influencers. The people you surround yourself with can change you and it’s not always positive or apparent immediately. It can be cumulatively destructive.

I like to surround myself with people who are better than me, not in the material sense, but the spiritual sense. They carry good energy. I can learn from them and they influence me, just by being themselves in the world. I have grown so much in my life by having them around and I am grateful for their gift of friendship and love.

Think about your circle of influence. How do you influence others? How are you influenced? Make your circle a beautiful ball of light that is both lifting and lifted in your world. ♥

I appreciate your thoughts and words on the “circle of influence”. I wrote about this very topic last week on my blog (http://wp.me/p2ywf8-55). Please read it if you’re interested. It’s so important, yet so ignored sometimes. I choose to surround myself with creative, brilliant, and fun-loving beings who influence me and co-create the very best in me. And it’s wondrous!
Cheers!